Job Discussion Forums

[ayahyaha]

I've been reading these forums for a while trying to sort out how to get squared away in Poland, and I have a handle on the process now--so thanks to all those who've been posting about it. I hope I can eventually add something helpful.

However, about the ever-elusive zameldowanie...I completely understand that the best (and only?) way to get zameldowanie is to ask the landlord before moving into an apartment. Fair enough.

But what if that's not possible?

When I moved into my apartment, my landlord offered temporary zameldowanie (he said 3 months). I thought that would be enough but now I understand that it's not (am I right?). I plan to stay a couple of years anyhow.

So, considering that I can't get zameldowanie, and really can't afford to move apartments yet, what are my alternatives, if any?

Someone said there were offices (lawyers?) that would provide you an address for a fee. This didn't seem like a good idea because I am American and need to start my own business here--so I need to be actually living at my registered address, right?

What if my landlord could put me on the register at his address? I see the same problem with that.

I'd be grateful for any advice.

[simon_porter00]

when i went through this guff i while back (so the rules must've changed seven times since then) i got the temporary zameldowanie first (3 months) and then got the 5 year jobby after. Now first of all i'm EU and from what i remember you're Oz, so the rules may be different.

I can't remember why i couldn't get the 5 year jobby first, but something was stopping me. When I tried to get the 3 month jobby, the lady made it explicitly clear that you had to apply for this 3 seconds, no more no less, after landing in Poland. When i tried to apply for it 2 months after landing she shook her head in the way that only Polish administrators can and looked at me with her eff off eyes and I got the message that was that. Now being EU there aren't any stamps in my passport so she said go to the window next door and say you arrived this morning. I did, and a few arguments later got the 3 month pass. Now you'll have a stamp in your passport so the longer you leave it, the more difficult it'll be. If your landlord is willing to let you get the 3 month jobby, get it. It doesn't matter whether you need it or not, just get it. Paperwork is king in this country. To get it, you'll need your landlord and it will inevitably mean him/her taking time off work to go with you to the office. Take all conceivable paperwork you have with you - bank account details, tenancy agreement, employment papers, passports, visas everything.

Once you get the 3 month jobby, the 5 year one should be esier to get. Be prepared for:
Anger - yours and the administrators
One office not knowing what the other office is doing
Receiving different sets of rules from different members of staff. To that end write down everyones names that you speak to. That way you can say so and so said this "....". It might not get you anywhere but you can listen in with amusement to the shouting match on the phone.
See if you can get a native speaker to go with you and good luck.

Of course, the Krakow office may have changed from the disorganised effing shambles it was a few years ago ......

[Harry from NWE]

[ayahyaha]

Thanks for the replies. That's good advice, Simon, especially about keeping records of who said what and when. That's always a good time!

Here's what the deal is, though.

I've learned in these forums that I need the 3-month zameldowanie to get the KP. That's great.

But then, I need the long-term zameldowanie to get a PESEL number. (I might be wrong on this...can I just use the 3-month "lease" that my landlord will give me? I thought it had to be longer.)

I need a PESEL to get a NIP, and in turn get myself registered as a business.

So, I think I need the long-term zameldowanie at some point. Somewhere, somehow.

Harry, If I wanted to strongarm my landlord, I would. But it's a great flat, great price, great location--and I really can't afford to move anywhere else right this moment, so I'm not willing to risk getting thrown out. I'm more than certain he can rent it again immediately--there were several people who wanted it when I moved in.

I don't even really resent him for not giving me the zameldowanie, because I understand his reasoning and know it's common practice. It's just the way it is here. I know some people get really rankled by that sort of thing, but having been working in eastern Europe for a while, it sort of comes with the territory. Poland is a new country with the same old games--just with this really fun addition of zameldowanie!

So, I'm all for working to improve the system, but right now I'm freshly relocated, and what I need is a place to live and steady work until I'm solvent in Krakow.

I know there must be a way to get the zam from somewhere, someone, someplace else...

[simon_porter00]

Found the following:
http://poland.gov.pl/Permissions,1618.html
Read the first part with interest. Of course it's no bloody good because it doesn't tell you the Polish name of what you need.

Your best bet would be to go to the council offices for your area (get your school to do the dirty work for you) and go there and hope hat someone there can speak English.

However, the wife has just told me that from 2009 the zam will be defunct and will be replaced by something else. It could well be what is mentioned on the link. But certainly, from my time of dealing with that poo, you can't do anything regards a zam without permission of the landlord.

EDIT:
http://poland.gov.pl/Residence,rules,1616.html
It seems if you don't have a visa, you'll be stuffed at square one

[ayahyaha]

[quote="simon_porter00"]Found the following:
http://poland.gov.pl/Permissions,1618.html
Read the first part with interest. Of course it's no bloody good because it doesn't tell you the Polish name of what you need.

...but it's really helpful all the same. I hadn't seen this page yet and it gives me more info.

[quote="simon_porter00"]Your best bet would be to go to the council offices for your area (get your school to do the dirty work for you) and go there and hope hat someone there can speak English.

My school, helping me? That's just sort of hilarious. So I'm on my own here...but I think I can sort it out.

[quote="simon_porter00"]However, the wife has just told me that from 2009 the zam will be defunct and will be replaced by something else. It could well be what is mentioned on the link. But certainly, from my time of dealing with that poo, you can't do anything regards a zam without permission of the landlord.

Based on this info, I am going to get the temporary zam from my landlord now and then see what happens in 2009. At least I will be able to get the process *started* within the given time limit.

So, thanks for that most recent info, and I'll be sure to post what happened, where, and how difficult it was! =)